Baldness

It is very annoying when your hair falls out and when you become bald. Especially at a young age. As a rule, baldness is most common in men, but women can also experience discomfort from hair loss and balding spots on the head. Balding is part of the aging process and is not essentially a medical condition. It is a natural reaction of the body. Yet baldness can be treated or prevented. In this article we provide more information about baldness and what you can do about it.

What is baldness?

Baldness is a natural process and people can become bald as they get older. It is not a fact that you are going bald. Many people keep their hair although the pigment of the hair can change. In many older people, the color turns gray or white over time. Then a simple color rinse or treatment with hair dye could offer a solution. There is very little that can be done against baldness and there are no medications that have proven to be effective against baldness. However, you can consult a doctor if baldness causes problems.

How do you know you are going bald?

You can easily discover baldness when you start to lose hair and the hair does not grow back. In men, this often starts on the forehead and sides. The hairline appears to shift and larger inlets appear on the sides. The crown can also become bald. Baldness is not something that happens overnight. It is a process that can take weeks, months and sometimes years. The hair becomes thinner, more and more hair follicles disappear and bald spots become more visible.

Complaints due to baldness

There are a number of complaints that can occur with baldness. First of all, the scalp is less well protected when hair loss occurs. Walking in full sun is not a good idea. That is why it is often useful to treat balding spots with, for example, sunscreen. Or wear a hat or cap more often to protect the scalp.

Another complaint that is quite common is gloom and uncertainty. People who are balding can become very insecure and depressed when they lose hair. This is a big problem, especially for women. If you feel depressed, it is a good idea to consult your doctor. Whether there may be a medicine that can temporarily stop or slow down baldness. In extreme cases, the possibilities for a hair transplant can also be considered.

Treatment plan

As described, there is no good treatment plan for baldness, but there are medications on the market that can temporarily stop or slow down baldness. It is often the case that after stopping the medication, the baldness continues again and even tries to catch up. The doctor can inform you well about this. These medications can also cause side effects that are less pleasant. Then it is also advisable to stop taking the medication immediately.

If you become bald at a very young age, it is advisable to call your doctor. Especially if you have not yet reached the age of 20. Or if you use anabolic steroids. The doctor will also give urgent advice to stop this. It is not unusual for a GP to refer you to a dermatologist to investigate the underlying problem of baldness.